Erie tale

Former UH quarterback Shane Austin is having a breakout season in the Arena Football League, leading the Cleveland Gladiators to a 7-0 record (including 5-0 in games he starts).

Austin told the Warrior Beat he's having a blast — playing fast-break football, hanging out with teammates and, even, spreading things he learned in Hawaii. He and former Warrior receiver Royce Pollard performed the haka for teammates. Austin also randomly speaks Samoan to strangers.

Austin has always been a good guy and better teammate. He never grumbled as a five-year understudy at UH. He led outings with the offensive line, including a training session at Camp Timberline. His parents were equally supportive, often coming to Hawaii to watch practices on the hill overlooking the grass practice field.

Cleveland, obviously, is in first place. Sometimes nice guys do end up there.

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Speaking of Austin — c'mon, let's ride this segue — Austin, Texas, no longer is a destination for USC quarterback Max Wittek, who plans to transfer. USC completed its spring semester yesterday, and if Wittek met all the requirements for a degree, he is free to transfer without restrictions. Hawaii emerges as Wittek's best option — if he earns a degree. UH has been holding open a couple of scholarships for possible transfers.

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Speaking of Max, the UH School of Architecture Alumni Association has not maxed out on the number of golfers and sponsors for its scholarship golf tournament.

Proceeds go to an endowment that awards an annual scholarship to a deserving high school graduate to attend UH's School of Architecture.